Multi-tool adaptor

Abstract

A multi-tool adaptor which enhances overall performance of the multi-tools on which the adaptor is intended and the punch presses with which the multi-tools are desired to interface. The intermediary components relating to the functioning of the multi-tool involve one area of consideration regarding the adaptor design. Another area of consideration for the adaptor design involves the manner by which the stripper plate is operably coupled to the punch holder.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An adaptor for a multi-tool comprising:
 a tool shank holder configured to be operably coupled to a tool shank of a multi-tool; 
 a locking ring configured to engage a tool selection wheel of the multi-tool, the locking ring configured to be operably coupled yet rotatable relative to the tool shank holder, whereby the locking ring extends from the tool shank holder and is defined with a plurality of slots; and 
 an index ring configured to be operably joined to the locking ring via a plurality of cam keys, the cam keys being rigidly held to the index ring and extending inward from a periphery of the index ring so as to correspondingly align with the slots of the locking ring; 
 wherein when at least one of the cam keys is inserted within one of the slots of the locking ring, the locking ring is rotationally coupled to the index ring, while the tool shank holder and locking ring are free to move vertically relative to the index ring. 
 
     
     
       2. The adaptor of  claim 1  further comprising a stripper plate holder configured to hold a stripper plate of the multi-tool, the stripper plate holder configured to be operably coupled to the tool shank holder, whereby a side wall of the stripper plate holder is radially positioned between the locking ring and the index ring, the stripper plate holder side wall defined with a web through which the cam keys are configured to extend between the index ring and the locking ring. 
     
     
       3. The adaptor of  claim 2  further comprising a guide ring configured to operably couple the stripper plate holder to the tool shank holder, whereby the index ring is situated between the guide ring and the stripper plate holder, the guide ring defining a cam pathway therein and within which cam portions of the cam keys travel so as to steer the cam keys during rotation of the guide ring relative to the index ring. 
     
     
       4. The adaptor of  claim 3  wherein the web of the stripper plate holder is comprised of a plurality of webs separated by dividers, the cam pathway being defined with a plurality of outer paths corresponding to each of the dividers such that travel of the cam portions with respect to the outer paths of the cam pathway results in the cam keys being steered outward from the slots of the locking ring and the webs of the stripper plate holder so as to avoid collision of the cam keys with the dividers. 
     
     
       5. A multi-tool with adaptor, comprising:
 a multi-tool that comprises a tool shank, a tool selection wheel, and a tool holder including a plurality of tools, the tool shank is operably coupled to the tool holder, and the tool selection wheel is held between the tool shank and the tool holder, wherein the tool selection wheel has a central opening into which a segment protrudes from a periphery of the wheel; and 
 an adaptor that comprises a tool shank holder, a locking ring, and an index ring; 
 wherein the tool shank holder is operably coupled to the tool shank and the locking ring, yet the locking ring is rotatable relative to the tool shank holder, the locking ring extending from the tool shank holder and engaged with the tool selection wheel such that the wheel is rotationally coupled to the locking ring, the locking ring further defining a plurality of slots therein; and 
 wherein the index ring is operably joined to the locking ring via a plurality of cam keys, the cam keys being rigidly held to the index ring and extending inward from a periphery of the index ring so as to correspondingly align with the slots of the locking ring, whereby at least one of the cam keys is inserted within one of the slots of the locking ring at all times so as to rotationally couple the locking ring to the index ring, while the tool shank holder and locking ring are free to move vertically relative to the index ring. 
 
     
     
       6. The multi-tool of  claim 5 , wherein the tool holder is a punch holder, and wherein the plurality of tools is a plurality of punches. 
     
     
       7. The multi-tool of  claim 5 , wherein the locking ring is defined with teeth on an inner side, which is engaged with teeth on an outer periphery of the tool selection wheel. 
     
     
       8. The multi-tool of  claim 5 , when rotational position of the tool selection wheel is locked via locking of rotational position of the index ring, such that subsequent rotation of the tool shank holder results in corresponding rotation of the tool holder and the tools about the wheel whereby a desired one of the tools can be rotated relative to the protruding segment of the wheel. 
     
     
       9. The multi tool of  claim 5 , further comprising a stripper plate of the multi-tool, the stripper plate defined with a plurality of apertures corresponding to a quantity of tool-receipt areas of the tool holder, wherein the stripper plate is held by a stripper plate holder of the adaptor, wherein the stripper plate holder is operably coupled to the tool shank holder. 
     
     
       10. The multi-tool of  claim 9 , wherein the stripper plate holder is oriented to align the apertures of the stripper plate with the quantity of tool-receipt areas of the tool holder, wherein the rotation of the tool holder and the plurality of tools results in corresponding rotation of the stripper plate holder such that the apertures of the stripper plate remain aligned with the tool-receipt areas of the tool holder. 
     
     
       11. The multi-tool of  claim 9  further comprising a guide ring of the adaptor that operably couples the stripper plate holder to the tool shank holder, whereby the index ring is situated between the guide ring and the stripper plate holder, the guide ring defining a cam pathway therein and within which cam portions of the cam keys travel so as to steer the cam keys during rotation of the guide ring relative to the index ring. 
     
     
       12. The multi-tool of  claim 11 , wherein a side wall of the stripper plate holder is radially positioned between the locking ring and the index ring, wherein the stripper plate holder side wall is defined with a web through which the cam keys are configured to extend between the index ring and the locking ring. 
     
     
       13. The multi-tool of  claim 12  wherein the stripper plate holder is comprised of a plurality of webs separated by dividers, the cam pathway being defined with a plurality of outer paths corresponding to each of the dividers such that travel of the cam portions with respect to the outer paths of the cam pathway results in the cam keys being steered outward from the slots of the locking ring and the webs of the stripper plate holder so as to avoid collision of the cam keys with the dividers. 
     
     
       14. A method of using the multi-tool with adaptor of  claim 9  with fabrication equipment, the method comprising the steps of:
 locking position of the index ring via first mechanism of the fabrication equipment, thereby locking position of the tool selection wheel; 
 rotating the tool shank holder via second mechanism of the fabrication equipment, thereby rotating the plurality of tools about the tool selection wheel until a desired tool is aligned with the segment of the tool selection wheel, wherein the operable coupling of the stripper plate and the tool shank holder being provided internal to the multi-tool enables the rotation of the tool shank holder to be at least 360 degrees while positioning of the first mechanism can be maintained with respect to the multi-tool; and 
 applying force on the tool shank via third mechanism of the fabrication equipment, such that desired tool is vertically extended through corresponding aperture of the stripper plate and performs an operation on a workpiece. 
 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 14  wherein the fabrication equipment is a punch press, the third mechanism is a ram, wherein applying the force on the tool shank comprises striking the tool shank via vertical stroke of ram onto the tool shank. 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 15  further comprising a step of locating a plurality of springs external to the multi-tool with adaptor so as to exert pressure through the multi-tool to the stripper plate. 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 16 , wherein the springs are located between the ram of the press and an end of the multi-tool opposing the stripper plate, the springs located at the periphery of the multi-tool, such that pressure is maintained on the stripper plate until the ram withdraws from the vertical stroke and the desired tool completes its withdrawal back through the stripper plate. 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 16 , wherein the springs are spring loaded pins. 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 14  wherein the locking arm further comprises a sensor, wherein the method further comprises a step of the sensor providing spatial data regarding the multi-tool to the fabrication equipment so as to guide the second mechanism regarding amount of rotation requisite for the tool shank holder. 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 19  wherein the sensor comprises a linear encoder, wherein the spatial data is capable of being recalled by the sensor in event of power loss to the fabrication equipment.